my scramblings & ramblings
Oh my God, what? Another entry? So soon? Well then.
I had a pretty amazing 2010. I tried new things, watched new movies, learned about new music, read lots of books, landed a full-time job, and met many awesome people. As per my tradition, I’m doing my year-in-review survey.
The holidays are winding down. Aidan will be going back to Ohio soon. 
And all that’s left is the cold winter months. Is it any wonder that I feel less inclined to go anywhere or do anything except curl up with a blanket, an electric heater, and a large stack of books and read and sleep? Ack.
Today is Aidan’s birthday. My little boy is seven. Last night he told me he wouldn’t stop cuddling with me until he turned ten. So I guess I have three years to soak up all the cuddles and cheek holds. Right now, that little guy who was just a tiny newborn is now sitting beside me playing Lego Star Wars on the Wii and loving it. He’s a night owl just like I am, and he is a funny eater like me. We both latch on to something we like and we can eat it over and over and over and over without getting tired of it. He’d prefer to wear pajamas and hang out all day than run all over the place. He reads like a maniac. He loves Disney. And spaghetti. He’s such an amazing, incredible child.
We had a wonderful Christmas! We spent the week leading up to it trekking to the UPS store to pick up many packages, and we got our ham from Honey Bear Hams. It was amazing and delicious! Holy cow it was good! I got two pounds, and I am freezing one pound while we plow through the rest. It’s expensive but SO WORTH IT. Guess what I’ll be getting for Easter! Yum. When we got to the store, the bear was out waving, and the place was so festive and bustling. The owner gave Aidan a free stuffed Honey Bear! They had samples out and snacks. It was a fun trip. Christmas Eve, I made chocolate-cherry truffle cake, sugar cookie cutouts, and chocolate chip cookies.
I also made part of the Christmas dinner so Christmas day would be more about relaxing than rushing. AND IT WAS! We didn’t have to go anywhere! Adam was the first one up, then I got up about 830 or so. We had to get Aidan up at 930 because we were too excited! Aidan was so excited and happy with his presents!
We had a good Christmas. I got Planet Earth on Blu-ray Disc™ (oh yeah!), The Boondock Saints, and Sleeping Beauty as well. Wii Fit Plus, gift card to Barnes & Noble, shirts and sweaters, more Wii games, pots and pans, The Sims 3 World Adventures, Kit’s Desk (American Girl), The Game of Things, tea from Lupicia, the new Enya CD, a Proofreading Exercise book, so much stuff that I’m not even remembering! But the best was that my little boy was here with me!
The food was yummy and seems like making Christmas dinner was way less stressful than making Thanksgiving dinner. Maybe because I did some of it the night before. Hmmm.
Anyway, the rest of break has been relaxing. Reading a lot (for my birthday I scored $75 in bookstore giftcards!), hanging with Aidan, cat sitting, all that good stuff. The other day, we lost Helena! I’d thought she’d gone in Aidan’s room to sleep, but nope. Crookshanks was pacing and wailing like his cat world was ending. That’s when I realized she was missing. Snowball was out and about, which should have been my first clue that something was off. She’d been mostly hanging out in my room under the bed. We figured that Helena was hiding (there are a lot of hiding places here) from Snowball and that she’d come out when she was ready. Then I heard a big catfight from above and instantly knew that Helena had somehow gotten upstairs with Stinky and Stinky was unhappy about it. I found her hiding behind a counter and lured her out by banging a spoon on a can, picking her up and bringing her back downstairs where she ran back inside her true home. Silly kitty.
I don’t know when I’ll get time/inspiration to journal again, so I’m gonna do my 2009 Wrap Up stuff here:
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Year End Surveys!
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Time for the end of year surveys!
Comments Off on 2007
01. Was 2006 a good year for you?
Yes, I’ll have to say, for the most part, it was. It certainly was interesting.
02. Where were you, and who were you with, when 2006 began? And where will you be when it ends?
I was at Chad and Christy’s house, at a New Year’s Eve Party. Some of the people I was with included Kim, Ben, Caty, Christy, Abbie to name a few.
I will be here in my apartment, wearing my blue footie pajamas, and hanging with Aidan when it ends.
03. What were your biggest achievements of the year?
– Aidan, Aidan, Aidan, and Aidan;
– signing with a big time literary agent;
– making it through the year with no accidents or speeding tickets;
– taking huge leaps of faith in regards to my personal life;
– taking a chance with a new job;
– taking my first “road trip” all alone;
– reading more than 100 new books;
04. What was your biggest failure or regret?
– Not selling ONLY YOURS.
– CRUSH getting rejected.
05. What did you do that you’d never done before?
– saw Bob Dylan (twice!);
– saw Wicked;
– ate rattlesnake;
– visited The Grand Canyon;
– visited Philadelphia, PA;
– visited Phoenix, AZ;
– attended a Writers’ Conference;
– took a ghost tour (I ended up taking six!);
– cooked a Crock-Pot meal;
– attended a Writers’ Conference;
– started a debt management program;
– got a flu shot;
– friendship journal with Amy and Star.
06. What did you hope to do but didn’t manage to?
Save money. Visit Ivy. Sell Only Yours.
07. Are you going to try to do these things this coming year instead?
Yes.
08. Did you make any major decisions? If so, what were they?
a) I became separated.
b) I asked for a dissolution.
c) I changed jobs.
d) I decided to wean myself off of the Lexapro. I am down to 10mgs a day instead of 20mgs. So far, so good.
09. Did you explore any new ideas or concepts you had never considered before?
Yes.
10. What did you learn?
That there is a lot more to me than I ever imagined. And that I like it.
11. Whose behaviour merited celebration?
My friends tell me that MY behaviour does, because I was strong and taking charge and blah blah blah, but I have to say THEIRS did, because they’ve gone above and beyond to make me feel supported, loved, taken care of. Andy, Rosa, Ivy, Star, Adam, Amy, Wanda, Helen, Ci, I love you all and I am very grateful to have you in my life. Thank you for everything.
12. Whose behaviour upset you?
No names, but the people who decided to stop talking to me because of decisions I made with regards to my personal life.
13. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Traveled more. Planned more. Written more.
14. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Holding back. Keeping secrets. Stressing out. Worrying.
15. What did you get really excited about?
a) Visiting Chicago all the times I did. 
b) Seeing the Grand Canyon.
c) Bob Dylan concerts.
16. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Not that I know of.
17. Did anyone close to you die?
Grandpa Davis.
18. Did you attend any weddings or funerals?
Grandpa Davis’s funeral in February.
19. Did you miss anybody?
Yes.
20. Which countries did you visit?
N/A. Dang it.
21. Which new places did you visit?
Ft. Wayne, IN., Philadelphia, PA.
22. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing unusual.
23. What was the best thing you bought?
All of my plane tickets to Chicago, and my digital SLR camera.
24. Where did most of your money go?
Bills.
25. Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder? the same
b) thinner or fatter? fatter
c) richer or poorer? poorer, most definitely poorer
26. What was your favourite film of the year?
Clerks II.
27. What was your favourite TV programme?
N/A.
28. What was the best book you read?
The Giver by Lois Lowry.
29. What did you want and get?
A DSLR camera, an agent.
30. What did you want and not get?
A publishing contract. Constant financial security.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I turned 32. Bizzy came over and we ate spaghetti and watched The Boondock Saints.
32. What was your personal fashion concept of this year?
Jeans, sweaters or tee-shirts, my cheap Champion shoes. Or peasant skirts and camis.
33. Did you make any significant changes to your appearance?
I stopped wearing makeup, except for powder to tone down the shine. I began wearing my hair shorter, although that wasn’t really my choice. BUT, I did stop straightening it so much, and started letting it air dry.
34. Which celebrity did you fancy the most?
I didn’t really fancy anyone, but I did have a raging crush on Trent Ford for about ten minutes.
35. What political issue stirred you the most?
The Execution.
36. What world event affected you more than any other?
Too many to get into right now.
37. What date from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
April 29, 2006, for reasons I want to keep private for now.
38. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Nothing outside of the ordinary.
39. What song(s) will always remind you of 2006?
“My Love” by Justin Timberlake
“Sanctus” by Philip Riley and Jane Elleson
“What Goes Around…/…Comes Around” by Justin Timberlake
“Sorry” by Madonna
“Gotta Go, Gotta Leave (Tired) by Vivian Greene
“Believe In Me” by Pleasure Center
40. Did you fall in love in 2006?
I did. With Chicago. With pretty, dramatic sunrises over the Columbus skyline. With the American Heritage dictionary. With copyediting. With photography, using filters and lenses. With my little boy, as he grows and becomes the person he is meant to be–funny, charming, affectionate, smart, amazing. With much, much more, that I want to hold inside for now.
41. How many one-night stands?
Negative.
42. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don’t think so.
43. What was your greatest musical discovery?
I enjoyed “discovering” Bob Dylan, Josh Groban, and Justin Timberlake (again). Oh, and Jennifer Berezan. The Returning CD is ace.
44. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Selling a book!
45. What kept you sane?
My friends. Sometimes, I just don’t understand how they put up with me!
46. Who was the best new person you met?
Adam Selzer. He’s awesome. ?
47. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Selling a book!
48. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
“Getting your dreams, it’s strange, but it seems, a little well, complicated. There’s a kind of a sort of, loss, and a couple of things get lost. And there bridges to cross you didn’t know you crossed until you cross.”
49. What would you like to happen in the coming year, either personally or in a more global sense?
I want to get better with money, and MAKE MORE OF IT. I want to finally publish a book. I want to write and write and write. I want to travel more. Continue enjoying the copyediting. Pick up some freelance jobs. For Adam’s prediction to come true that 2007 will be a good year.
50. What are some of your personal goals for the new year?
Get a promotion. Publish a book.
51. What would you like to avoid?
Drama. Living paycheck-to-paycheck.
52. And finally, where do you see yourself in a year’s time?
I have no idea.
* * *
Were you in school (any time this year)?
Nope.
How did you earn your keep?
McGraw-Hill for most of the year, then I moved to Zaner-Bloser starting in September. Still in the publishing world.
Did you have to go to the hospital?
Nope.
Did you encounter the police?
Nope.
Where did you go on vacation?
In May, I went to Las Vegas, The Grand Canyon, and Phoenix. In June, July, August, and September, I went to Chicago. In November, I went to Philadelphia.
What did you purchase that was over $500?
My digital SLR camera.
Did you know anybody who got married?
Holly & Robert. I photographed the wedding.
You know anybody who passed away?
Grandpa Davis.
Have you run into anybody you graduated high school with?
I talk to Andy all the time.
Did you move anywhere?
Yes, I moved out of the house on Bauer St., into my own place in Clintonville.
What sporting events did you go to?
None.
What concerts did you go to?
I saw Bob Dylan in Ft. Wayne, IN, and I saw him in Philadelphia, PA. In addition, I popped in on a Tony Lucca gig that was local.
Are you registered to vote?
Yes.
If so, did you do your patriotic duty on Nov. 7?
It’s not a duty to me. It’s a privilege and an honor. And yes, I did vote.
Where do you live now?
Columbus, OH (Clintonville neighborhood)
What’s the one thing you thought you would never do but did in 2006?
See Wicked!!!
What is one thing you regretted this year?
Spending too much money. Bah.
What’s something you learned about yourself?
I guess I’m a lot braver than I thought.
Any new additions to your family?
No.
What was your best month?
June, and September.
What from pop culture will you remember 2006 by?
– Justin bringing SexyBack. Oh my.
– Actually LIKING the damn Paris Hilton song (Stars Are Blind).
– Britney’s crotch. Double oh my.
– TomKat madness. Oh help.
How would you rate this year with a scale from 1 (lousy) to 10 (excellent)?
I’m going to have to say a 7.85.
* * *
IN 2006 HAVE I:
Hugged someone? Of course!!
Gotten into a fight? Yes.
Cried? Yes, far too much.
Smoked? A bit.
Drank alcohol? Yes.
Kissed someone on the cheek? Yes.
Reunited with an old friend? Yes.
Been suspended? No.
Let something go? Yes.
Been whipped? No. Unfortunately. 
Learned any important lessons? Yes.
Got a kiss on the cheek? Yes.
Kissed someone on the lips? Yes.
Considered suicide? Not seriously.
Cut/dyed your hair drastically? No.
Flirted? Sure.
Been backstabbed? Yes.
Missed someone? Yes.
Hit someone? Oh yeah. >:)
Broken something really important to you? Yes.
Cuddled with someone? Yes.
Broken somebody’s heart? Yes.
Done something you really regretted? Don’t even get me started.
Laughed so hard that it hurt? Yes.
Cried so hard that it hurt? Yes. Too often.
Got cheated on? I hope not.
Gone on a date? No.
Got dumped? Yes, by some “friends.”
Dumped someone? No. More like stepped back for a bit.
Made a new screen name? Yes.
Lost a friend? Yes.
Gotten any tattoos/piercing? No. Dammit.
Watched porn? Hell no.
Been in a love/hate relationship? Eh?
Loved someone so much that it hurt? Yes.
Been grounded? Nope, LOL.
FRIENDS:
Lost: I’m not going to list them because it doesn’t matter anymore.
Drifted: Can’t really say because friendships are so static.
Found: Adam, my writing friends. Friendships with others have grown deeper, like with Rosa, and Wanda.
BODY:
Weight: Went up five to ten pounds. I’m now 115-120lbs. Eep.
Piercing/tattoos: N/A
Height: 5′2″ ish.
Hair: Short.
STUDIES:
N/A
BAD THINGS I HAVE DONE:
– As if I’m going to admit them here. >:)
GOOD THINGS I HAVE DONE:
– Grand Canyon.
– Chicago, a lot.
– Bob Dylan.
– Raised Aidan.
– Debt management program (that means I can accumulate no more debt!)
– Taken a HUGE step.
– Got a new job.
– Traveled a lot.
– Let go.
THINGS I HOPE TO DO IN 2007:
– Sell my novel.
– Finish a new novel.
– Go back to a Disney park.
Happy New Year!!
(Originally published at Anywhere Is…)
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